The Body Flicker Technique was one of the advanced skills that ordinary shinobi could not hope to master.
In general, only chunin-level and above had the chakra reserves and control to even begin learning it. Even then, the technique demanded near-perfect timing and precision—things only high-ranking shinobi usually possessed.
Yet here stood Shigure, not only having mastered the Body Flicker, but layering it seamlessly into his ninjutsu as well.
Wasn't this already on par with a Kage-level shinobi?
As his form stabilized once more, Shigure calmly sheathed his blade. He looked across at Rock Lee, the corner of his lips lifting into a faint smile.
"Your taijutsu alone has reached this level… your talent is incredible," Shigure said with quiet admiration.
At that moment, the voice of the Great Sage echoed in his mind:
[Great Sage: Analysis complete.]
[Congratulations to the host—Konoha's Flowing Taijutsu acquired.]
This style of movement was far sharper than Shigure's own taijutsu techniques. Now, every twitch, every stance, every shift of Rock Lee's body became crystal clear to him.
The Great Sage's analysis didn't just break down skills—it unraveled behavior patterns. By completing its calculations, it laid bare an opponent's habits, weaknesses, and the rhythm of their movements.
Like now—when Rock Lee's fingers shifted ever so slightly, an unconscious tell. The next moment, Shigure already knew exactly what Lee would do.
A heartbeat later, Rock Lee lunged forward, blindingly fast.
But Shigure didn't strike back. Instead, he simply took a single light step back.
Bang!!
Lee's foot slammed down, blasting a crater into the ground—yet Shigure was untouched.
Lee spun into a whirlwind kick, but once again Shigure drifted back smoothly, avoiding the strike as though he had read the attack before it began.
Twice in a row. Clean. Effortless.
Might Guy's eyes narrowed. Something was off.
Lee's movements were being read—completely.
Impossible!
Barely ten seconds into the fight, and Shigure had already dissected Lee's taijutsu. His attacks, his rhythm, his openings—it was as if Shigure could see the future.
If he had awakened the Sharingan or Byakugan, Guy could accept it. But Shigure was neither Uchiha nor Hyūga.
How could he do this?!
Yet the truth was undeniable: every single one of Rock Lee's blazing strikes missed. Shigure evaded them all with an ease that sent a chill down the spine of every spectator.
If it happened once or twice, it could be dismissed as luck. But three, four times in a row?
No one could call that coincidence.
On the sidelines, Shikamaru, Neji, and the others felt cold sweat trickle down their foreheads.
They weren't the ones fighting, but even so, they could feel the weight of Shigure's terrifying strength.
Not only was Shigure able to fend off Rock Lee with ease, but he could also see through Lee's attacks as though they were written on parchment before him.
This wasn't just genius anymore.
This was something monstrous.
Looking at Lee's astonished face, Shigure decided not to drag things on any longer.
He had been tempted to analyze the Eight Gates, but that technique was far too dangerous. If Lee opened them recklessly, the damage to his own body would leave lasting scars.
Better to end the match quickly.
Shigure raised his hand in a flash and caught Lee's leg mid-strike. For the first time since the fight began—after more than ten unanswered attacks—he took the initiative.
Lee froze, shocked by the sudden shift.
Then a biting chill spread from Shigure's palm.
Lee's leg went numb instantly, as though all feeling had vanished. He tried to counter with a kick from his other foot, but Shigure didn't give him the chance. With a sharp motion, he flung Lee aside.
Lee twisted midair and managed to steady himself on landing—only to realize his right leg was encased in ice.
"What… what kind of jutsu is this?!"
Before he could process it, a wave of freezing mist surged into the arena. The white smoke curled through the air, colder than anything he'd ever felt.
Then darkness closed in. Lee's consciousness slipped away.
The entire field fell silent.
Everyone's eyes locked onto the scene, wide with shock, breaths caught in their throats.
Behind Lee stood Shigure, left hand still in a seal.
"Ice Release—Freezing Moment!"
In the blink of an eye, Rock Lee was completely frozen.
The process had been so swift that even those watching from outside barely registered what had happened before it was over. The instant their figures crossed paths, a storm of frost erupted, and Lee was left entombed in a shell of ice.
Gasps spread through the Genin and the supervising Jōnin alike.
"What kind of ninjutsu is that?!"
"A kekkei genkai—has to be!"
"Ice… Ice Release?!"
The younger shinobi were on the verge of losing their minds. It wasn't enough that Shigure possessed overwhelming taijutsu, terrifying skill with ninjutsu, and abnormal mastery of kenjutsu—he now revealed a bloodline limit, too.
What kind of monster was this?!
Kurenai frowned. "I didn't expect him to even possess a kekkei genkai…"
Guy's eyes widened. "Ice Release? Isn't that Kirigakure's bloodline limit?"
Asuma exhaled sharply. "No wonder he could master the Body Flicker… this brat's terrifying. To think he even has Ice Release!"
Kakashi, standing silently beside them, chuckled inwardly.
If only they knew the truth—that this bloodline wasn't inherited, but created by Shigure himself. And that Ice Release wasn't the only kekkei genkai he possessed. If they learned that… their faces would be priceless.
"It's over."
Seeing Gekkō Hayate still frozen in shock, Shigure gave him a small nod to signal the result.
The proctor blinked, then quickly raised his voice:
"Winner—Shigure!"
At that moment, Might Guy rushed to his student's side. "My disciple—how is he?!"
Shigure smiled faintly, forming another seal. The ice cracked and melted away, vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
But Lee was already unconscious.
Guy lifted him into his arms, eyes full of concern. Shigure spoke calmly:
"Immerse him in hot water. The circulation will return—his limbs will recover."
Guy gave a firm nod. So long as Lee's life wasn't in danger, that was enough.
Shigure turned away from the arena, his two battles concluded. As he walked back toward the stands, the crowd parted instinctively, giving him a wide berth.
Their gazes followed him, not with doubt, but with awe.
In the shinobi world, strength was everything.
And Shigure's strength had just shaken them all. He had fought with ease, never once appearing serious, and still dominated the field. Now, with a kekkei genkai revealed on top of it all, his future as one of Konoha's elites seemed undeniable.
Compared to the struggling Genin around him, Shigure seemed born in another world entirely.
"That guy… he really is Konoha's monster."
"Yeah. No wonder they call them the Three Monsters of Konoha."
"An Uchiha, a Jinchūriki… and that freak. All monsters!"
...
TN:
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